Going Natural. How to Transition with Ease.

Posted by Carla Isaac on Jul 17, 2017

For some, with naturally kinky hair, going natural can be a cumbersome task. Making the transition can be bombarded with awkward periods and can make the journey an uneasy one. Knowing how to go natural and avoiding the uncomfortable stages would benefit anyone wanting to take on the quest to rid themselves of chemically treated hair and embracing their natural tresses. This article will discuss the 2 basic ways of going natural (Big CHOP and wearing protective style) and help make this evolution one worth smiling about.

When most say "natural hair", they are basically talking about hair that is free from any chemicals that might change the texture of one's hair. The things that might chemically change the texture of your hair includes relaxers, curls, Keratin treatments, body waves, etc. There is only one way to get to become completely natural, and that one way is to cut off all the hair that is chemically treated. This cutting off of the hair can be done all at once, also known as the BIG CHOP, or it can be done over a period of time. Your level of confidence and overall boldness will dictate which method you choose. Of course, the BIG CHOP requires you to be fully confident in what you are doing. On the other hand, the method of transitioning over time, while wearing protective styles, gives you more time to come to grips with "going natural". Other factors might dictate the method you take to go natural. These factors include, your lifestyle, your daily routine, your profession or professional endeavors, the condition of your hair, and the opinion of others who may influence this decision.

For those not ready to take on the BIG CHOP, there are options (protective styles) you can take to make your transition an easy one. These protective styles include braids, straw sets, weaves, hair extensions, lock extensions, or wigs. Over the course of time and as your natural hair grows, you can cut off the chemically treated hair until you are left with just your natural hair. Once you are completely natural, you can then determine how long you want your natural hair to be before you ditch your protective style and embrace the "natural" you.

When deciding on a protective style, you want to make sure that it is one you can wear for at least 2 months. Most protective styles can be worn for this period of time with ease. However, hair sets, such as the straw set, might have to be redone every 3 to 4 weeks. Moreover, you want to make sure that your protective style does not create tension on your hairline or aggravate any other areas of your hair. You might find that braids, weaves, and various hair extensions might have the tendency to stress your hairline depending on how heavy the hair is or how tight it is braided. Keep this in mind when deciding on a style. When it comes to weaves or braids, you can always tell the stylist that you would prefer a looser braid. This should prevent the occurrences of traction alopecia, thinning, or hair breakage.

During your transition to natural, be sure you keep your hair well conditioned. Do not think that just because you are not wearing your natural hair, it doesn't still need to be taken care of. Condition your hair whenever you feel it getting dry. Also, try to use a conditioner on your hair as often as possible. Daily conditioners are good every time you wash your hair and a deep conditioner is excellent at least once a month.